Attachable cuff for a boot

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a fashion accessory, in particular an attachable cuff for a boot. The attachable cuff for a boot comprises a cuff; a cuff attachment means affixed to said cuff; and a boot attachment means affixed to a boot; wherein the cuff attachment means and the boot attachment means mate with each other and removably attach the cuff to the boot. Preferably, the cuff attachment means is affixed to an interior surface of the cuff; and the boot attachment means is affixed to an interior surface of the boot. Alternatively, the boot attachment means is affixed to an exterior surface of the boot. The cuff attachment means and the boot attachment means are selected from a group consisting of hook and loop tape, buttons and buttonholes, snaps, zippers, hooks and eyes, tongue and groove closures, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the attachable cuff for a boot comprises a cuff and a cuff attachment means affixed to said cuff; wherein the cuff attachment means removably attaches the cuff to the boot or to a leg of a user. In this alternative embodiment, the cuff is fashioned like a garter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a fashion accessory, in particular anattachable cuff for a boot.

Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

Accessories provide a means to update fashionably an article ofclothing, including footwear. Accessories also provide a means tocoordinate the various elements of an outfit, such as to tie together ablouse and jacket by means of a scarf which incorporates colors fromeach independent element of clothing. It is desirable to also coordinatefootwear with an outfit.

There are known means by which to do so. For example, shoes, or footwearthat does not extend beyond an ankle of a user, may be accessorized witha clip-on element, such as a buckle or bow, or with an ankle bracelet.It is also desirable to coordinate boots, or footwear that does extendbeyond an ankle of a user, with an outfit. Various means by which totransform footwear are disclosed in the prior art.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,641 issued Dec. 27, 1977, by Levinefor Footwear discloses a shoe that is convertible to a boot; namely, anarticle of footwear having a shoe portion including an upper with amouth, and a tubular portion adapted to be selectively coupled to theshoe portion. A fastener interconnects one end of the tubular portion tothe mouth of the upper. A reversible cuff on the tubular portion isavailable to conceal the connected fastener and a reversible collar onthe shoe portion is available to conceal the unconnected fastener and toprevent any abrasive contact with the leg of the wearer. When the shoeportion is used alone there is provided an ankle boot, and when used incombination with the tubular portion there is provided a calf high boot.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,271 issued May 6, 1986, by Maleyko et al. for anExtendible Boot, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,018 issued Sep. 15, 1987, byMaleyko et al. for an Extendible Boot, disclose an extendible boot withan upper having a base portion and an extendible portion. The extendibleportion comprises a flexible sleeve joined to the base portion by aperipherally extending joint. The sleeve is rollable from its upper endto form an annular roll at the joint to provide an unextended boot. Thesleeve is unrollable from the annular roll to a higher position andthereby provides an extended boot. A cuff has a fixed end connected withone of the portions in the vicinity of the joint and is adapted to befolded over the annular roll. A hook and loop fastener or a snapfastener is provided to hold the cuff in its folded position to retainand conceal the annular roll of the sleeve.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,447 issued Sep. 25, 1990, by DuPree for an AthleticShoe with Break-Away High Top discloses an athletic shoe with abreak-away high top. The shoe comprises an upper which is secured alongits lower extent to a sole portion. The upper includes a main bodysection extending about the heel and sides of the foot and a toe sectionextending around and over the toe area of the foot. The main bodysection of the upper defines an ankle opening, the margins of whichextend below the ankle bone on the lateral and medial side of thewearer's foot. A break-away high top including an ankle cuff isremovably secured to the main body section of the upper and is adaptedto wrap around the wearer's ankle. Attaching the high top to the upperconverts the athletic shoe from a low top athletic shoe to a high topathletic shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,559 issued Apr. 21, 1998, by Thiel for a FootwearAccessory for Use with a Shoe to Simulate the Appearance of a Bootdiscloses a footwear accessory for use with a shoe that includes astocking-like structure having a lower foot portion and an upper ankleportion; wherein the lower foot portion is made of a porous hosierymaterial and the upper ankle portion is made of a material whichsimulates a boot leg. The upper ankle portion is made of a stretchablematerial, may have a glossy or non-glossy appearance, may be a solidcolor or a print, may be provided with different textures and mayinclude a functional closure device such as a zipper or a number ofbuttons or clasps. The dimensions of the upper and lower portions of thefootwear accessory are chosen so that the lower foot portion iscompletely concealed by a shoe. The dimensions of the upper ankleportion may vary to cover any length of leg desired. One embodiment hasan upper ankle portion which terminates slightly below the knee. Anotherembodiment has an upper portion which terminates above the knee at amid-portion of the thigh.

Changeable cuffs as a means to accessorize clothing are known in theprior art. For instance, US Patent Application 2006/0277660 publishedDec. 14, 2006, by MacMillan for Pant Legs with Changeable Cuffsdiscloses pants and especially blue jeans that are provided withdecorative exchangeable cuffs. The bottoms of jeans made from denimmaterial and other pants have an area that often hangs in folds orwrinkles over the shoes and is otherwise unsightly. A detachabledecorative cuff is disclosed that has a vertical side slit which makesthe lower end portion of jeans more attractive and stylish. Thedetachable connecting elements can include buttons, snaps, or hook andloop material on the pants and cuffs and are located in predeterminedlocations to permit interchangeability among a wide variety of cuffstyles and colors.

However, the prior art does not provide for the transformation of bootfootwear either to lend a different appearance to the boot or tocoordinate the boot with an outfit of a user. The present inventionprovides an attachable cuff for a boot that enables a user to transformthe appearance of a boot, or to accessorize a boot to coordinate with anoutfit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fashion accessory, in particular anattachable cuff for a boot; wherein an attachable cuff for a bootcomprises a cuff; a cuff attachment means affixed to said cuff; and aboot attachment means affixed to a boot; wherein the cuff attachmentmeans and the boot attachment means mate with each other and removablyattach the cuff to the boot. Preferably, the cuff attachment means isaffixed to an interior surface of the cuff; and the boot attachmentmeans is affixed to an interior surface of the boot. Alternatively, theboot attachment means is affixed to an exterior surface of the boot. Thecuff attachment means and the boot attachment means are selected from agroup comprising hook and loop tape (for example, Velcro® brand tape),buttons and buttonholes, snaps, zippers, hooks and eyes, tongue andgroove closures, and the like.

In an alternative embodiment, the attachable cuff for a boot comprises acuff and a cuff attachment means affixed to said cuff; wherein the cuffattachment means removably attaches the cuff to the boot or to a leg ofa user. In this alternative embodiment, the cuff is fashioned like agarter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a partial, perspective view of a boot with a boot attachmentmeans to receive an attachable cuff of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a medial side view of a boot with an attachable cuff of thepresent invention; wherein the cuff is attached to the boot.

FIG. 3 is a lateral side view of a boot with an attachable cuff of thepresent invention; wherein the cuff is attached to the boot.

FIG. 4 is a partial, cut-away view along line A-A of FIG. 3 of anattachable cuff of the present invention; wherein the cuff is attachedto a boot.

FIG. 5 is a partial, cut-away view along line B-B of FIG. 2 of anattachable cuff for a boot of the present invention; wherein the cuff isattached to a boot.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an attachable cuff of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

2 boot

4 boot exterior surface

6 boot interior surface

8 zipper

10 boot attachment means

12 cuff

14 cuff attachment means

16 cuff exterior surface

18 cuff interior surface

20 boot top edge

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An attachable cuff of the present invention may be understood withreference to the Figures. With reference to FIG. 3, shown is a cuff 12of the present invention attached to a boot 2. The cuff 12 may be madeof any decorative material of a user's choice, such as, but not limitedto, a group of decorative materials comprising fur, faux fur, cloth,ribbon, beads, fringe, and the like.

With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in an embodiment of thepresent invention the cuff 2 may be removably attached to a bootattachment means 10, which boot attachment means 10 is affixed to a bootinterior surface 6. A boot 2 may have the boot attachment means 10affixed to the boot interior surface 6 either pre-market at the time ofmanufacture of the boot 2, or after market by a user.

The boot attachment means 10 may be affixed to a boot 2 by any suitableaffixture means, such as, but not limited to a group of affixture meanscomprising sewing, gluing, adhesive material, and the like. The bootattachment means 10 may be affixed either to a boot exterior surface 4or, preferably, a boot interior surface 6. If the boot attachment means10 is affixed to a boot interior surface 6, then the boot 2 may be wornby a user without a cuff 2 and without the boot attachment means 10being visible.

The cuff attachment means 14 may be affixed to a cuff 12 of the presentinvention by any suitable affixture means, such as, but not limited to agroup of affixture means comprising sewing, gluing, adhesive material,and the like. The cuff attachment means 14 is affixed to a cuff interiorsurface 18.

The boot attachment means 10 and the cuff attachment means 14 mate withone another and are removably attachable to each other. The bootattachment means 10 and the cuff attachment means 14 mate with eachother to removably attach the cuff 12 of the present invention to a boot2 and may be comprised of any suitable attachment means, such as, butnot limited to a group of attachment means comprising hook and loop tape(for example, Velcro® brand tape), buttons and buttonholes, snaps,zippers, hooks and eyes, tongue and groove closures (for example, suchas those tongue and groove sealable closures used on Ziploc® brandplastic bags), and the like.

For illustrative purposes, in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cuff attachment means 14 is a hook element of hook andloop tape and the boot attachment means 10 is a loop element of hook andloop tape; wherein the hook element and the loop element mate with eachother to attach the cuff 12 of the present invention to a boot 2. It ispreferable for the boot attachment means 10 to be a loop element of hookand loop tape, because the loop element is relatively smooth and servesto prevent damage to a user's skin, socks, hosiery or the like when aboot 2 with the boot attachment means 10, but without a cuff 12 of thepresent invention, is worn by a user. Conversely, in another embodimentof the present invention, the cuff attachment means 14 is a loop elementof hook and loop tape and the boot attachment means 10 is a hook elementof hook and loop tape.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff attachmentmeans 14 is a plurality of buttonholes and the boot attachment means 10is a plurality of buttons; wherein the buttonholes and buttons mate witheach other to attach the cuff 12 of the present invention to a boot 2.Conversely, in another embodiment of the present invention, the cuffattachment means 14 is a plurality of buttons and the boot attachmentmeans 10 is a plurality of buttonholes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff attachmentmeans 14 is a plurality of male snap elements and the boot attachmentmeans 10 is a plurality of female snap elements; wherein the male andfemale snap elements mate with each other to attach the cuff 12 of thepresent invention to a boot 2. Conversely, in another embodiment of thepresent invention, the cuff attachment means 14 is a plurality of femalesnap elements and the boot attachment means 10 is a plurality of malesnap elements.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff attachmentmeans 14 is a plurality of first zipper teeth and the boot attachmentmeans 10 is a plurality of second zipper teeth; wherein the first zipperteeth and the second zipper teeth mate with each other to form a zipperto attach the cuff 12 of the present invention to a boot 2.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff attachmentmeans 14 is a plurality of hook elements and the boot attachment means10 is a plurality of eye elements; wherein the hook elements and the eyeelements mate with each other to attach the cuff 12 of the presentinvention to a boot 2. Conversely, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, the cuff attachment means 14 is a plurality of eye elementsand the boot attachment means 10 is a plurality of hook elements.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff attachmentmeans 14 is a tongue element of a tongue and groove closure and the bootattachment means 10 is a groove element of a tongue and groove closure;wherein the tongue element and the groove element mate with each otherto attach the cuff 12 of the present invention to a boot 2. Conversely,in another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff attachmentmeans 14 is a groove element of a tongue and groove closure and the bootattachment means 10 is a tongue element of a tongue and groove closure.

As previously disclosed with regard to hook and loop tape comprising theboot attachment means 10 and the cuff attachment means 14, for each ofthe other disclosed attachments means, it is preferable for the bootattachment means 10 to be relatively smooth and serve to prevent damageto a user's skin, socks, hosiery or the like when a boot 2 with the bootattachment means 10, but without a cuff 12 of the present invention, isworn by a user.

With reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, to attach the cuff 12 ofthe present invention to a boot 2, the cuff attachment means 14 is matedwith the boot attachment means 10 such that a cuff exterior 16 extendsoutside of the boot 2 and beyond a boot top edge 20. The cuff 12 of thepresent invention is folded or draped over the boot exterior surface 6.After attachment of the cuff 12 of the present invention to a boot 2,the boot 2 is fashionably transformed as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

The size of the cuff 12 of the present invention is of a sufficientwidth to extend around the circumference of a boot top edge 20 of a boot2 and is of a sufficient height to fold or drape over the boot top edge20 to a desired length along the boot exterior surface 4.

When the cuff 12 of the present invention is attached to a boot 2, it ispreferable that the cuff 12 of the present invention does not interferewith a zipper 8, or other closure means, such as laces, of a boot 2.

In an alternative embodiment, the attachable cuff 12 for a boot 2comprises a cuff 12 and a cuff attachment means 14 affixed to said cuff12; wherein the cuff attachment means 14 removably attaches the cuff 12to the boot 2 or to a leg of a user. In this alternative embodiment, thecuff 12 is fashioned like a garter; wherein the cuff 12 is a unitary,circular piece of decorative material. The cuff attachment means 14 isaffixed to a cuff interior surface 18 in a position such that asufficient portion of the cuff 12 either may be tucked inside a boot 2,or folded over a boot top edge 20 and draped on the boot exteriorsurface 4. The preferred cuff attachment means 14 is elastic, but may beany suitable material that allows the cuff 12 to be removably attachedto the boot 2 or the leg of a user.

In this alternative embodiment, the cuff 12 may be slipped over a boot 2and positioned on a boot 2 in such a manner that the cuff attachmentmeans 14 is in proximity to, but below, the boot top edge 20. A portionof the cuff 12 that extends beyond the boot top edge 20 is tucked insidethe boot 2.

In this same embodiment, alternatively, the cuff 12 may be turned insideout and slipped over a leg of a user and positioned on the user's leg insuch a manner that the cuff exterior surface 16 is against the user'sleg and the cuff attachment means 14 is in proximity to, but below, theboot top edge 20 when the user puts on the boot 2. A portion of the cuff12 that extends beyond the boot top edge 20 is folded over the boot topedge 20 and draped on the boot exterior surface 4.

Although the present invention has been described with reference tospecific embodiments, it is understood that modifications and variationsof the present invention are possible without departing from the scopeof the invention, which is defined by the claims set forth below.

1. An attachable cuff for a boot comprising: a. a cuff; b. a cuffattachment means affixed to said cuff; and c. a boot attachment meansaffixed to a boot; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means mate with each other and removably attach the cuff tothe boot.
 2. An attachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim 1;wherein the cuff attachment means and the boot attachment means arecomprised of hook and loop tape; wherein a hook element and a loopelement of the hook and loop tape mate with each other to attach thecuff to the boot.
 3. An attachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim1; wherein the cuff attachment means and the boot attachment means arecomprised of a plurality of buttonholes and buttons; wherein thebuttonholes and buttons mate with each other to attach the cuff to theboot.
 4. An attachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim 1; whereinthe cuff attachment means and the boot attachment means are comprised ofa plurality of male snap elements and female snap elements; wherein themale snap elements and the female snap elements mate with each other toattach the cuff to the boot.
 5. An attachable cuff for a boot as claimedin claim 1; wherein the cuff attachment means and the boot attachmentmeans are comprised of a plurality of zipper teeth; wherein the zipperteeth mate with each other to attach the cuff to the boot.
 6. Anattachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim 1; wherein the cuffattachment means and the boot attachment means are comprised of aplurality of hooks and eyes; wherein the hooks and eyes mate with eachother to attach the cuff to the boot.
 7. An attachable cuff for a bootas claimed in claim 1; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means are comprised of a tongue and groove closure; wherein atongue element and a groove element of the tongue and groove closuremate with each other to attach the cuff to the boot.
 8. An attachablecuff for a boot comprising: a. a cuff; b. a cuff attachment meansaffixed to said cuff; and c. a boot attachment means affixed to a boot;wherein the cuff attachment means and the boot attachment means matewith each other and removably attach the cuff to the boot; furtherwherein the cuff attachment means is affixed to an interior surface ofthe cuff; and further wherein the boot attachment means is affixed to aninterior surface of the boot.
 9. An attachable cuff for a boot asclaimed in claim 8; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means are comprised of hook and loop tape; wherein a hookelement and a loop element of the hook and loop tape mate with eachother to attach the cuff to the boot.
 10. An attachable cuff for a bootas claimed in claim 8; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means are comprised of a plurality of buttonholes andbuttons; wherein the buttonholes and buttons mate with each other toattach the cuff to the boot.
 11. An attachable cuff for a boot asclaimed in claim 8; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means are comprised of a plurality of male snap elements andfemale snap elements; wherein the male snap elements and the female snapelements mate with each other to attach the cuff to the boot.
 12. Anattachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim 8; wherein the cuffattachment means and the boot attachment means are comprised of aplurality of zipper teeth; wherein the zipper teeth mate with each otherto attach the cuff to the boot.
 13. An attachable cuff for a boot asclaimed in claim 8; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means are comprised of a plurality of hooks and eyes; whereinthe hooks and eyes mate with each other to attach the cuff to the boot.14. An attachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim 8; wherein thecuff attachment means and the boot attachment means are comprised of atongue and groove closure; wherein a tongue element and a groove elementof the tongue and groove closure mate with each other to attach the cuffto the boot.
 15. An attachable cuff for a boot comprising: a. a cuff; b.a cuff attachment means affixed to said cuff; and c. a boot attachmentmeans affixed to a boot; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means mate with each other and removably attach the cuff tothe boot; further wherein the cuff attachment means is affixed to aninterior surface of the cuff; and further wherein the boot attachmentmeans is affixed to an exterior surface of the boot.
 16. An attachablecuff for a boot as claimed in claim 15; wherein the cuff attachmentmeans and the boot attachment means are comprised of hook and loop tape;wherein a hook element and a loop element of the hook and loop tape matewith each other to attach the cuff to the boot.
 17. An attachable cufffor a boot as claimed in claim 15; wherein the cuff attachment means andthe boot attachment means are comprised of a plurality of buttonholesand buttons; wherein the buttonholes and buttons mate with each other toattach the cuff to the boot.
 18. An attachable cuff for a boot asclaimed in claim 15; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means are comprised of a plurality of male snap elements andfemale snap elements; wherein the male snap elements and the female snapelements mate with each other to attach the cuff to the boot.
 19. Anattachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim 15; wherein the cuffattachment means and the boot attachment means are comprised of aplurality of zipper teeth; wherein the zipper teeth mate with each otherto attach the cuff to the boot.
 20. An attachable cuff for a boot asclaimed in claim 15; wherein the cuff attachment means and the bootattachment means are comprised of a plurality of hooks and eyes; whereinthe hooks and eyes mate with each other to attach the cuff to the boot.21. An attachable cuff for a boot as claimed in claim 15; wherein thecuff attachment means and the boot attachment means are comprised of atongue and groove closure; wherein a tongue element and a groove elementof the tongue and groove closure mate with each other to attach the cuffto the boot.
 22. An attachable cuff for a boot comprising: a. a cuff;and b. a cuff attachment means affixed to said cuff; wherein the cuffattachment means removably attaches the cuff to the boot.
 23. Anattachable cuff for a boot comprising: a. a cuff; and b. a cuffattachment means affixed to said cuff; wherein the cuff attachment meansremovably attaches the cuff to a leg of a user.